(CNN) - President Barack Obama signed into law Thursday a budget deal forged by Democrats and Republicans in Congress that puts off the risk of a government shutdown for two years while easing some automatic spending cuts.

“Since taking office, I have repeatedly called upon the Congress to work with my Administration to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,” Obama said in a statement. “The continued operation of the facility weakens our national security by draining resources, damaging our relationships with key allies and partners, and emboldening violent extremists.”FULL POST

(CNN) - The liberal nonprofit group Americans United for Change is using a new TV ad to accuse Republicans of ruining Christmas for the 1.3 million Americans whose unemployment benefits are about to stop.

“To the 1.3 million Americans losing benefits, Merry Christmas, from the GOP,” the ad says. The spot will run Thursday and Friday on national cable TV networks, including CNN, the group said.FULL POST

(CNN) - The conservative advocacy group Americans for Prosperity is closing out the year with a pair of new ads targeting Democratic members of the House who voted for Obamacare.

Over $600,000 will be spent on spots airing in the districts of Richard Nolan of Minnesota and Ann McLane Kuster of New Hampshire, according to AFP. The new spots put AFP’s total Obamacare TV ad-spending for 2013 at roughly $16 million, money that comes in part from the billionaire Koch brothers.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - College football fans have a message for the Bowl Championship Series: Good job this year, but it's time to pack it in.

According to a CNN/ORC International Poll released Thursday, 61% of college football fans think the BCS got it right by pitting Florida State against Auburn in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game on January 6.FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - Democrats have lost their advantage and Republicans now have a slight edge in the battle for control of Congress, according to a new national poll.

A CNN/ORC International survey released Thursday also indicates that President Barack Obama may be dragging down Democratic congressional candidates, and that the 2014 midterm elections are shaping up to be a low-turnout event, with only three in 10 registered voters extremely or very enthusiastic about voting next year.FULL POST